"One learns from the sea how little one needs, not how much."   Robin Lee Graham

The Boat

     Let's start with the name. The term "fellow traveler" dates from the early days of the labor and social justice movements in the United States. A "fellow traveler" was someone who was in sympathy with the goals of these movements. It was sometimes a codeword used to introduce others when expressing these views held a certain risk. It sometimes meant someone who was a socialist or communist, although not exclusively so. The extreme, liberal views of these "fellow travelers" included such radical concepts as the 40-hour work week, eliminating child labor, the right of women to vote, the rights of sexual minorities, setting a minimum wage, and other ideas that are taken for granted today in the first world. It was also these "fellow travelers" who initially opposed the spread of fascism in Europe in the 1930's, risking (and often losing) their lives during the Spanish Civil War. It is for these early fighters for basic humanitarian goals, and for the ideals they believed in, that I named my boat Fellow Traveler. After all, we all are fellow travelers on this one planet. I believe in respecting the basic dignity and rights of all who share this world.

"Tolerance implies a respect for another person not because he is wrong or even because he is right, but because he is human."      John Cogley



     Fellow Traveler is a Morgan 461. She is 46 feet long and 13.5 feet wide. This design is noted for her roomy interior, easy to handle rig, strong construction, and surprisingly fast underbody design. If I were to have had a custom design drawn for a boat for my needs based on my experience, I would have end up with something very similar to Fellow Traveler. Overly beamy boats can be a risk, as they are inherently stable upside down as well as right-side up. Very narrow boats are safe, but at the compromise of interior comfort, as well as initial stability, which can lead to a wet boat in nearly all conditions. This design, I feel, provides a safe and comfortable compromise of beam. Her draft is about 6.5 feet, so does not limit her significantly in most cruising grounds of the world. The keel is of reasonable length, with a modestly sloped leading edge that should minimize risk of damage should she ground. Her rudder is mounted on a separate skeg, of stout construction, and at least a foot shallower than the keel bottom, minimizing risk to it. I have no doubt there are boats that can do specific things better than Fellow Traveler, but I would be hard-pressed to find one that did alI that I ask of her better.

Equipment

Fellow Traveler has been equipped with the intention of blue water sailing in mind, both as to comfort and safety.  Much of the equipping of her reflects my thoughts on a good boat for crossing oceans. I believe this is just a critical as choosing a boat, if not more so; thus, I will go into some detail. I replaced the standing rigging on Fellow Traveler in 2006, using new Staylock fittings and 316 stainless wire. At this time, I also modified the rig, in effect, converting her to a cutter rig. To do so, I added an inner forestay that is set 3/4 of the way out towards the forestay. This stay is removable so as not to interfere with tacking the jib in light air conditions. The sails for this stay hank on, as I prefer the simplicity of hanks to roller-furlers when the going gets rough. In such conditions, her roller-furler jib will be fully furled to minimize any chance of it getting loose. To counteract the forward pull of the inner forestay, Spectra running  backstays are fitted. 

Sails: the main that I currently use was in excellent condition and stored below decks when I purchased Fellow Traveler  3 years ago, thus it has several more years of good life left. I had made a new yankee jib and staysail in 06 using high-end dacron and over-built. I had a storm jib from a similar sized vessel already, and an old genny is stored as backup. There is an old main, of dubious condition stored below as well as a storm trysail. I also have a cruising spinnaker available. This is small for the boat, but makes an excellent "chicken chute." You will note that her wardrobe is heavily balanced towards the heavy weather side. I consider it foolhardy to depart on a bluewater voyage with just a main and roller furler genny, yet how often does a boat set out to cross an ocean with every convenience imaginable, but no sails to deal with rough weather? 

Safety Gear: Fellow Traveler has a 4-man liferaft (new in 07), 406 EPIRB properly registered, and required flares. As with all past safety gear, I hope to one day throw all of this in the rubbish bin, unused.

Steering: Steering and autopilot on Fellow Traveler are both via a hydraulic system. The cylinders that physically steer the boat are new as of 07. However, my concern is that a failure in the hydraulic system would effectively eliminate all steering except by emergency tiller. The emergency tiller is in the aft cabin, with no view, so is of limited usefulness. My last boat had a self-steering system, and while less than perfect, there is much to recommend them (for those who are unfamiliar with them, a self-steering windvane is a mechanical device that steers the boat using the wind). Jimmy Cornell, noted expert, is of the opinion that any boat setting out on a blue water trip should have both an autopilot and a windvane. I agree, so set out in 06 to find a system that could handle Fellow Traveler. I believe that I have found the ideal system in the British-made Hydrovane. I purchased one in 07 (the most expensive single piece of gear I have ever purchased! More than my first boat cost!), and initial tests have been immensely satisfactory. This system is completely independent of the ships steering, so works if the ships steering fails, and also serves as an emergency rudder if need be. Best of all, though, is this system will steer the boat day and night without drawing a single amp of power.  Like getting an extra crew who does not require a bunk, never eats, and does not drink the captain's rum!  

Communication: a standard VHF radio, a SW receiver, and a satellite email system are aboard.

Water/Fuel: Fellow Traveler carries 300 gallons of water and 120 of fuel, each in two separate tanks. There is also a reverse osmosis watermaker that supplies safe, clean drinking water without the risk or problems of filling on shore. I have considered turning a water tank into a fuel tank to balance this, but, in the end, felt the safety of having water in two large tanks more important than fuel capacity. Water makers can fail (as can the means to power them). I do not like motoring in general, and try to avoid pushing my engine hard (at heart, I do not trust engines, so have made a devil's pact with mine: I will spoil it and use it sparingly as long as she continues to plug along when called upon). So, if I am making 4 knots under sail, great! 3? No problem!  I will motor when practical, but, generally do not plan on making significant amounts of a passage under power. 110 gallons, plus a few jugs on deck will have to be adequate.  

Accommodations

Fellow Traveler  is well designed for comfortable living, both at sea and at anchor, in the tropics. There are double staterooms at each end of the boat. In addition, there are bunks in the main saloon and the passageway leading aft. Hatches overhead and ports in the cabin sides provide excellent ventilation.

The main saloon provides comfortable lounging and eating space for all  at a U-shaped dinette, with a settee opposite. The shelves contain Fellow Traveler's reasonably extensive library. Two overhead hatches and four ports ventilate the saloon.

The galley is larger than most for boats her size, and is located next to both the cockpit and the saloon, so the chef is not removed from conversation. There is a two burner stove with oven, a modest refrigerator and freezer, large sinks, and ample counter space. Opposite is the chart table. Again, an overhead hatch and two large ports ventilate this area.

The large, open decks provide plenty of space to lounge and sun, either at anchor or underway. Best of all, though, is the large, comfortable cockpit, where one can relax in the shade of the awning while enjoying the cooling breeze. In the tropics, the cockpit becomes the main living area, comfortable for lounging or serving meals.



    

     

The Captain

     Douglas Schuch, Captain of Fellow Traveler, has more than 40 years sailing experience. For the past 12 years he has lived aboard Fellow Traveler and her predecessors sailing and exploring extensively, including numerous ocean crossings and extensive cruising in the Caribbean. He has a U.S. Coast Guard Masters License that allows him to Captain power or sail vessels in both coastal and offshore waters and has extensive experience as a captain of charter boats. In addition, Doug has been an Outward Bound instructor, ski instructor, whitewater raft guide, and canoe instructor.